Mississippi River Testimonies

The US Army Corps of Engineers is supposed to prevent flooding on the Mississippi River. Congress gave it the job after the great flood of 1927. The Mississippi River Commission holds two public hearings in Mississippi every year at which anyone can comment or “testify” on how well the Corps is doing its job. Bigger Pie Forum’s chair Kelley Williams testified at the High Water Hearing in April 2016. His testimony follows. It notes that Mississippi’s batture and backwaters are flooding more frequently and longer and that major floods are more frequent. It attributes this to the Corps plan adopted in 1928. It suggests that the plan is outdated and needs to change. Specifically it recommends that the Corps needs to increase the discharge to the Gulf via the Atchafalaya River which is now limited to 30% of the flow in the main channel.

The commanding general of the Vicksburg District of the Corps chairs the Mississippi River Commission. He responded to Mr. Williams’ testimony. This led to an exchange of correspondence which continues. Key issues covered include what is the authority for the 30% cap on the flow down the Atchafalaya. Was it set by Congress? Can the Corps change it? Does it require congressional action? What are the pros and cons of more flow down the Atchafalaya?

Others testified on these and other issues at the Low Water Hearing August 17 at Natchez, Mississippi. They included flooded property owners, farmers, timber companies, oil operators, mineral owners, other private citizens, and representatives of county government. Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann testified on behalf of the state. A summary of his testimony follows. Testimony by others will be posted as will summaries of the Corps responses.

I appreciate this opportunity to testify again. Last year I talked about flooding at our farm in the Natchez reach 20 miles above the Old River Control Complex. Today I’m talking about flooding in the Baton Rouge reach below Old River. I hope to show that ORCC can reduce the height, duration, and frequency of […]

I want to thank the Mississippi River Commission for the opportunity to speak. I appreciate what you do. And the Corps too. You have a mission impossible. You are supposed to tame the Mississippi River and prevent another 1927 flood. So you developed the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries Project. It has worked – so far. […]

Mississippi River Commission Public Meeting on the Motor Vessel Mississippi Secretary Hosemann testified before the Mississippi River Commission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to inform the public of the artificial flooding of the Mississippi River which is causing significant damage to 16th Section Public School Trust Lands and private lands. See Secretary Hosemann‘s […]

Testimony of Jerry Riddle For this entire past year, not one day have I been able to drive home on the road, because it’s been under water, because you refuse to open the Morganza Spillway. Why? Why would you do it? Is it because you have the big crawfish pond built on the other side […]

MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION 8/17/16 INTRO CONNER HOUSE FORESTRY/LOGGING/LANDOWNER Over the past century the USACE has been tasked with modifying and manipulating the Mississippi River and its tributaries to minimize the impact of flooding and to navigation and commerce in the River. As in any environment, every action has a reaction. CLICK HERE TO READ the […]

Proposed five minute talk to the Public Meeting held by the Mississippi River Commission in Natchez, Mississippi on board the Motor Vessel Mississippi at 2:00 p.m. 17 August, 2016. My name is Lee Jones. Our sawmill, J. M. Jones Lumber Company, Inc., is located on the bank of the Mississippi River just below the Natchez-Vidalia […]

Presentation to the Mississippi River Commission August 13, 2016 Damages from increased flooding on the MS River Summary Over the course of time, the Corp has done a great job in reducing the impact of overall flooding along the Mississippi River. Some have seen great benefit, but there are those of us experiencing a detrimental […]

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At Bigger Pie Forum (BPF) we research and talk about ideas that encourage economic freedom, discourage cronyism, and help Mississippi’s economy grow. We want to bake a bigger economic pie that gives everyone a chance to get a larger slice.